NRHEG Sports (656)
The latest game results and prognostications for NRHEG.{jcomments on}
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Yes, the NRHEG Panthers and Bethlehem Academy Cardinals played some volleyball and the team that was supposed to win did win, but that wasn’t what it was all about in New Richland Friday, Oct. 9.
It was Dig Pink Night, in honor of those affected by breast cancer, and a fund-raising event to help battle cancer. A total of $700 was raised. The Panthers honored members of the community who have been battling breast cancer, with each team member playing in honor of them.
“It was a great night,” said Panthers coach Onika Peterson. “I am very proud of all their hard work.”
The NRHEG cross country teams competed in the Waseca Invitational Thursday, Oct. 8 at Lakeside Golf Club. The boys were eighth out of nine teams, the girls eighth of eight.
Boys’ places and times: Josh Fleming, 27th, 18:53; Tyler Schlaak, 32nd, 19:03; Zach Mely, 43rd, 20:00; Braden Routh, 51st, 21:13; Jorey Fischer, 52nd, 21:28; Aaron Fleming, 55th, 23:08; Aaron Seath, 58th, 24:54.
Waseca won with 43 points. The Panthers had 205, defeating Medford.
NRHEG to host playoff game Wednesday
LINE UP — NRHEG wide receiver John Cole checks with the linesman during the Panthers’ regular-season finale at New Richland Thursday, Oct. 8. The Panthers lost 24-23 to Maple River. They host Blue Earth Area in an opening round section playoff game Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Once again, the NRHEG Panthers controlled the line of scrimmage and the pace of the game.
They just couldn’t control the scoreboard.
The Panthers, despite holding Maple River to 163 yards — 125 of which came on two plays — fell just short 24-23 in their regular-season finale at New Richland Thursday, Oct. 8. The loss left the Panthers 6-2 overall and in third place behind WEM and Maple River in the South Central Blue District football final 2015 standings.
“It’s not often you hold a team to 163 yards and lose,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork.
The story for the Panthers was mistakes.
Regular-season finale Thursday at NR
THREE POINTS — NRHEG kicker Sam Prigge (3) lines up for a field goal Friday, Oct. 2 at Lake Crystal. The Panthers finish the regular season at home Thursday, Oct. 8 against Maple River. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There are certain games that football teams look forward to. Last Friday was one of them for the NRHEG Panthers.
The Panthers, in the midst of one of their best seasons in years, avenged an ugly loss last year, defeating Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial 24-6 on the road.
“Our kids have had this game circled on the schedule since last year,” said Panthers coach Dan Stork.
The win lifted the Panthers to 6-1, with the regular season concluding tonight at home against Maple River (6-1). The Panthers are hoping for a win and a WEM loss to claim a share of the South Central Blue District championship.
Clay target team gets off to early lead in conference
Written by Jim LutgensFor some fall sports, the season is already half over. But for the athletes in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League, things are just getting under way.
Last week, the 2,400 students from 92 schools competed in week one of a five-week season which will go through the month of October. At stake are conference titles and individual accolades.
The NRHEG team, which has had a fall team ever since the league expanded into the fall season, finds itself in Conference Nine along with teams from Anoka, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Thief River Falls, Cambridge-Isanti, Byron, Mounds View, and Central Minnesota Christian schools.
The NRHEG volleyball team started last week with a tough 3-2 loss to United South Central.
It was downhill from there.
The Panthers, who lost a marathon match to USC Tuesday, were swept by WEM Thursday to finish an 0-2 week. The Panthers are 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the Gopher Conference.
“Waterville is a good team,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. “They are very solid across the board and have some great hitters. I thought overall we did a nice job blocking against them. When we were able to hit, we got some good swings against them. However, we struggled across the board with our passing —serve receiving and digging. When they have powerhouse hitters like Kendall and Masberg, we can't struggle with passing.”
The NRHEG cross country teams competed in the Grizzlies Invitational at Janesville’s Prairie Ridge Golf Course Thursday, Oct. 1. The boys and girls both had a solid day.
The boys, running without senior Tyler Schlaak, recorded several personal bests while totaling 139 points for last among six teams. Faribault was first with 26.
Panther places: Josh Fleming, 11th, 18:22; Zach Mely, 25th, 19:05; Braden Routh, 51st, 21:19; Aaron Fleming 54th, 21:29; Jorey Fischer, 55th, 21:45; Aaron Seath, 68th, 24:09.
NRHEG improves record to 5-1
YOU MAKE THE CALL — Panthers running back Perry Peterson stretches for the goal line as a LeSueur-Henderson defenseman hangs on Friday, Sept. 25 during NRHEG’s Homecoming at New Richland. Referees ruled Peterson was stopped short of the touchdown. The Panthers won, 35-14. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
As far as Dan Stork was concerned, only one thing really mattered last week: the football game Friday night.
All the festivities, parades and crownings don’t mean much, according to Stork, if you don’t cap Homecoming week with a win.
The Panthers did exactly that, crushing LeSueur-Henderson 35-14 while improving their record to 5-1.
Coach Stork, of course, had praise for his players, but he also had words of kindness for the opposition.
“I have to give LSH a lot of credit,” said Stork. “They're a solid team that plays very physical. Their coaching staff had their kids well prepared.”
The NRHEG volleyball team had lost back-to-back conference matches to Medford and Blooming Prairie.
The Panthers weren’t about to let it happen again.
They never gave visiting Maple River much of a chance in their Homecoming match, defeating the Eagles 3-0 at New Richland Thursday, Sept. 24. Game scores were 25-23, 25-11, 25-22.
“After losing two conference matchups, tonight’s win was needed,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson, whose team improved to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
Boys’ CC team puts on a good show for the home crowd
Written by Jim LutgensThe NRHEG High School boys’ cross country team had its day in the sun last Tuesday, and they made the most of it.
The Panthers turned in their best effort of the season in their only home meet, placing fifth among seven squads at Riverview Golf Course.
“It was a good team effort,” said coach Mike Weber.
RAACHE, a home school from Rochester, won with 34 points, followed by Loyola/Cleveland with 48, Tri-City United 77, Maple River 111, NRHEG 148, JWP/WEM 148 and Austin Pacelli 172.
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WE’VE GOT SPIRIT! — Members of the NRHEG High School football team raise their helmets in anticipation of a kickoff during their 34-19 victory over Sibley East at Arlington Friday, Sept. 18. The Panthers host LeSueur-Henderson this Friday for homecoming. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
NRHEG football coach Dan Stork likes to give credit where credit is due, and after another one-sided victory his focus was up front, on the offensive line.
Stork praised the men in the trenches as the Panthers pounded Sibley East 34-19 at Arlington Friday, Sept. 18.
“Both Jason Jongbloedt and Perry Peterson continue to shine behind the blocks of Zeke Erickson, Jack Schultz, Lucas Herrmann, Jon Weller, Alex Buckmeier, Wyatt Fitterer, Chad Agrimson, Karter Sletten and Trey Hoppe,” said Stork, whose team is 4-1 heading into homecoming week.
SEEING DOUBLE — The Panthers’ Maddie Wagner (1) and Marnie Wagner (2) go up for a block against Medford. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
ON THE ATTACK — Sophia Fischer of NRHEG spikes while teammates Gretchen Ramaker, Abby Wacholz and Marnie Wagner look on against Medford.
Prior to last week, the NRHEG High School volleyball team was looking very good. But that was not the case as the Panthers hosted Medford Thursday, Sept. 17.
The visitors swept, winning 25-14, 25-12, 25-10. It dropped NRHEG to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
“We struggled across the board tonight,” said coach Onika Peterson. “Our passing was off, which caused our setters to scramble.”
Which caused all sorts of problems for the Panthers, who never could get on track.
“Tonight was one of those nights nothing seemed to be going our way,” said Peterson, who’s confident her squad will bounce back.
It was a wet and difficult course, but that didn’t bother Josh Fleming.
The NRHEG junior made the most of it at the Maple River Invitational Thursday, Sept. 17, leading the Panther boys’ cross country team with an 11th-place overall finish.
“Josh took time off from last week and made the award stand,” said NRHEG coach Mike Weber.
His time of for the course was 20:14.
Following for the Panthers were Zach Mely, 25th, 21:25; Ben Lewer, 31st, 21:47; Braden Routh, 50th, 24:06; Jorey Fischer, 54th, 24:47; Orin Mely, 56th, 25:22; and Aaron Seath, 57th, 26:33.
Anna Schlaak continues to tear it up for the Concordia University volleyball team.
The 2012 NRHEG graduate captured tournament MVP honors as the No. 4 ranked Golden Bears finished second in the Colorado Premier Challenge Gold Championship Sunday in Denver, Colo. Concordia came up just short in the finals, falling in five games to No. 13 ranked Ferris State.
Schlaak, coming off a school record performance a week earlier, was dominant at Denver, totaling 20 kills in the finals and 60 for the match.
Schlaak was named Concordia’s Athlete of the Week for the second straight week.